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Southwest Virginians in Europe prove it’s a small world
May 07, 2008Carrie Myers recently completed her first season as a professional basketball player overseas.
The former Lee High and Valparaiso (Ind.) University star averaged 11 points per game for DBC Houthalen, a team in Belgium’s top women’s pro league. She’s enjoyed the experience, enjoyed the Belgian culture and is continuing to work on her game as she awaits the beginning of practice in mid-August.
Myers related a neat story to me in an e-mail last week and I felt compelled to share it.
She and German teammate Katharina Fikiel recently traveled to France to attend a men’s professional game since Fikiel knew some members of the Reims, France ProB league team.
After the game, Myers and Fikiel were chatting with some members of the team and there were quite a few Americans on the squad, from such places as Florida, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Myers then turned to one of the guys and said, “So, where are you from?”
This is how the rest of the conversation played out according to Myers:
“Ah, you won’t know where I am from,” the stranger replied.
“Try me,” said Myers, who is from the Stickleyville community of Lee County.
“You know where Knoxville is?,” the player asked.
“Heck yeah! It’s two hours from my house … I’m from Southwest Virginia,” an excited Myers said.
Stranger: “Southwest Virginia!? You know Bristol?”
Myers: “Yes”
Stranger: “Abingdon?”
Myers: “Of course”
Stranger: “How far southwest are you in Virginia?”
Myers: “Well, about as far southwest as you can go without being in Kentucky.”
Stranger: “Oh, like Pennington Gap and Jonesville?”
Myers: “Yes! I’ve never met anyone who actually knows where I’m from. Stickleyville?”
Stranger: “Yeah, I know Stickleyville.”
A stunned Myers and the French pro continued their conversation and talked about Pennington High School, where Myers’ dad had spent time as head coach.
Turns out that the American player and Myers’ fellow Southwest Virginian was none other than former Ervinton High School and East Tennessee State University star Trazel Silvers. He’s also not the only local player in the French ProB League. Josh Shoemaker (Gate City) plays for Chalons, competing in the same league as Silvers.
Just goes to show that it’s a small world, huh?
Posted by Tim Hayes Terms & Conditions | © 2008 Media General, Inc.